A violent standoff involving nearly 2,000 Philippine police officers and followers of Pastor Apollo Carreon Quiboloy, a fugitive wanted by both the FBI and local authorities for sexual abuse and human trafficking, has entered its fourth day. Quiboloy, a self-proclaimed “appointed son of God” and founder of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ church, has been evading capture for over three years.
The 74-year-old preacher faces a 2021 indictment in the US accusing him and his alleged associates of operating a sex trafficking ring. The indictment claims they coerced girls and young women into sexual acts with threats of “eternal damnation.” Quiboloy, who denies all charges, is thought to be hiding within a sprawling 30-hectare (75-acre) compound in Davao City, southern Philippines. This compound includes a cathedral, college, bunker, and a taxiway to Davao International Airport.
Since the raid began on Saturday, police have encountered fierce resistance from Quiboloy’s followers. Protesters have reportedly thrown stones, blocked roads with burning tires, and clashed with officers. On Saturday, a 51-year-old follower died of a heart attack, though police state his death was unrelated to the ongoing operation.
The confrontation intensified on Sunday when police deployed tear gas in an attempt to disperse the crowds. At least six officers have been injured, and 18 people have been arrested. Images from the scene depict officers with bloodied faces receiving medical treatment.
Police Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III, who is spearheading the operation, emphasized that the raid will persist until Quiboloy is apprehended. “We’re not leaving,” Torre declared. “No one’s pulling out until we have him.”
Quiboloy founded the Kingdom of Jesus Christ church in 1985 and gained prominence during the rise of televangelism in the Philippines. The church, boasting 7 million followers worldwide, operates various businesses including a college, resort, and media outlets.
Quiboloy has been a close ally of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, frequently appearing on church-linked media during Duterte’s tenure as mayor of Davao City. Duterte’s controversial war on drugs, which rights groups claim resulted in thousands of extrajudicial killings, was notably linked to the church’s media network.
In recent developments, Vice President Sara Duterte criticized the ongoing operation on social media, adding a new layer of political tension to the unfolding crisis.